The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
TEXAR'S REVENGE
BY JULES VERNE.


|
prop agated with marvellous rapidity. Great
the North. for the Virginia might enter the Hud-
son and sink every ship at New York. Great
was the JOY of the Southerners, who saw the
blockade raised and trade again untramelled
along their coast.
1t was this naval success which was being so
nosily celebrated at Jacksonville The Confed-
crates now fanced themselves safe from the
federal vessels. Following on the victory at
Hampton Roads. might not Commodore Du-
points squadron be immediately recalled to the
Potomac or the Chesapeake No landing would
threaten Florida The slavery ideas supported
by the most violent of the Southerners would
triumph without contest And this would
| strength Texar aud his partisans in q position
in which they could do much evil.
But the Confederates were in too great
| hurry. And the news already known in Florida,
Gilbert was able to supplement with that which
current when he left Commandant Stevanss
| gunboat.
| The second fight in Hampton Roads had been
very different from the first. On the morning
of the 9th of March. when the Virginia pre-
| pairing to attack the Minnesota one Of the two
| federal frigates, an enemy whose presence was
unsupported by the Southerners suddenly ap
peared before her. strange machine came
away from the frigate's side, "a cheese-box
raft" the confederates called it. This
cheese box" the Monitor, commanded by
Lieutenant Warden. He had been sent to de-
stroy the batteries on the Potomac, but on
reaching the mouth Of the James river. heard
the firing in Hampton Roads, and during the
night had brought the Monitor on to the scene.
At half dozen yards from each other these
two formidable engines of war fought for four
ter-line and in danger of sinking, took flight in
the direction of Norfolk. The Monitor, which
to sink nine months later, had completely
defeated her rival. Thanks to her the federal
cover lment resumed its superiority in Hampton
Roads.
"Nc, father" said Gilbert. he ended his
story. ''our squadron has not been recalled to
the North Stevers's six gunboats anchored
in the St Johns in front of the bar. 1 tell you
that in three days, at least, we shall be masters
of Jacksonville"
''Then you must see. Gilbert, that you had
better wait and return on boardl But on your
way to Candles Bay do you not think you have
been followed"
"No. Mars and [ have escaped all observa-
ton"
sand this man who told you what had passed
at the plantation-the fire. the robbery, the i'll
of your mother-who is her,
''He said he was one of the lighthouse keepers
at Pablo, and had come to warn Captain Stevens
Of the danger run by the Northerners in this
part OF Florida
"Did he know Of your presence on boardp |
mo, and he seemed much surprised at it. But |
why these questionsP'
because I afraid it is plot of Tex |
ars. He more than suspected-he knew that |
you were in the federal navy He learned that |
You were under the orders of Commandant |
Stevens. If he wished to entice you here"
Never fear. We have got to Candles Bay |
without being seen coming up the river. and it
will be the same when go back"
'If you go board-not otherwise!"
ST promise you, father, Mars and 1 shall be on
board before daybreak"
when will you eol'
when the tide turns. That is about half
past o'clock"
'Who knows7" said Carol, perhaps the gun
boats will not stop three days at the barl'
1.-The wind must freshen to give enough water
on the bar" said the lieutenant "May it blow
a gale! And then get at the scoundrels!
And then"
81 will kill Texar" said Mars
1t was a little after midnight. Gilbert and
Mars would not leave Castle House for two
hours, waiting for the ebb to return to the flo
tilla The darkness was great, and there was
every chance OF their getting away unperceived.
although several boats were on guard on the ST.
Johns below Candles Bay.
The young officer went up to his mother He
found Alice seated at the bedside. Mrs. Bur
bank. exhausted by the efforts she had made,
had fallen into a deep slumber-a very sorrowful
one to judge by the way she sobbed.
Gilbert would interfere with this state of
torpor in which there more prostraton than
sleep He sat near the bed after Alice had mo-
toned him not to speak. There in silence they
watched together the poor woman whom misfor-
tune had struck cruelty. Had they words in
which to exchange their thoughtsq No! They
felt the suffering, they understood each
other and said nothing-it was their hearts that
spoke
At last the time arrived for Gilbert to leave.
He gave his hand to Alice. and both bent over
Mrs Burbank. whose eyes were half closed and
could not them.
Then Gilbert pressed his lips to his mothers
forehead, which the girl kissed after hi M. Mrs
Burbank gave a sorrowful sob, but she did not
see her son 60 nor Alice follow him to bid him
q last farewell.
Mars went out to see if the coast was clear |
He came back as Gilbert and Alice entered the
hall.
SIS it time to CO." said he.
Eyes. Gilbert. said James Burbank, $50! we
shall meet again at Jacksonville"
eyes! at Jacksonville and tomorrow if the
.de allows US to cross the bar. AS for Texar--"
''We must have him living! Do not forget
hiatt"
Eyes, livinel"
The young man embraced his father and
shook hands with his uncle Carol and Star
lard.
'Come, Mars" said he.
And following the right bank of the river they
lept along for half an hour They met no one.
they reached the place where they had left the
rig, and embarked in her to get into the stream,
IL H.